Does Charcoal Teeth Whitening Really Work
Dental stains can distract from the smile’s beauty and leave some people feeling insecure about their appearance. Teeth whitening quickly rejuvenates the smile, lifting years of stains and discoloration in as little as one professional treatment from Dr. Jean E. Barthman.
Because teeth whitening is an easy way to transform the smile, many people turn to home treatments. One recent trend is charcoal teeth whitening. Dr. Barthman is often asked, “does charcoal teeth whitening really work?” by patients at her Redwood City, CA, practice. There’s a lot to consider when answering this question. Here’s what you should know before you reach for the charcoal toothpaste.
What Is Charcoal Teeth Whitening?
Charcoal teeth whitening uses products containing a special type of charcoal, called activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is different from the charcoal used to cook foods. The difference is that activated charcoal is exposed to a gas that causes it to form large pores, helping to increase the charcoal’s absorbency.
Activated charcoal is added to toothpastes or used as a tablet or powder to whiten teeth. The idea is that the absorbency of activated charcoal helps it to remove stains from the teeth.
Does Charcoal Whiten the Teeth?
According to a review of clinical studies from the Journal of the American Dental Association, there have not been enough clinical or laboratory studies to know for sure whether charcoal actually whitens the teeth.
Without sufficient scientific studies, the efficacy of charcoal as a teeth whitening treatment is purely anecdotal and not proven.
Charcoal Teeth Whitening May Actually Be Harmful
Even if brushing with charcoal products has some effect on whitening the teeth, it’s important to know that it may actually be doing more harm than good. Activated charcoal is more abrasive than many other toothpastes.
When abrasive products are used to clean the teeth, they can wear away the enamel, the protective outer layer of the teeth. With repeated use, charcoal can wear away the enamel to the point that the yellow dentin layer beneath the enamel will show through, potentially making the teeth look more yellow.
There Are Better Options for Whitening the Teeth
There are safer and more effective options for whitening the teeth than charcoal teeth whitening products. In general, professional teeth whitening treatments are the better option because they are shown to be effective and safe for dental health.
Our Redwood City patients can achieve a whiter smile without damaging the structure of their teeth in as little as one hour with the BriteSmile® system.
The BriteSmile system uses a hydrogen peroxide based whitening gel and special light to lift stains and reveal a smile that is up to nine shades brighter.
Find Out if Teeth Whitening Is Right for You
Professional teeth whitening can instantly transform the smile and boost your confidence. If you are interested in teeth whitening treatment and would like to find out if it is right for you, please call our Redwood City practice at (650) 367-4967 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.